Swimming device



June 12, 1928.

W. MAXWELL SWIMMING DEVICE Filed Nov. 29, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet June 12, 1928.

W. MAXWELL SWIMMING DEVICE Filed Nov. 29, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet r I o Patented June 12, 1928.

within minister acme salien instant atesweater Q's-n27." seem sesame Contact with the water when the swimmer pushes rearwardly, the blades closing upon the reverse movement of the legs of theuser to decrease the resistance the swimming device when the legs of the swimmer are brought forwardly to take a stroke.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in.

the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating the manner of positioning a swimming device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1. a

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the being shown in section.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the swimming device and showing the blades in their open position. the view being taken on line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken through the device. the blades being shown as closed.

Figure 7 is a fragmental perspective View illustrating the pivoted brace bars that restrict movement of the blades.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the device includes a shoe portion indicated by the numeral 5, which is formed preferably of metal and lined with a suitable soft lining material such as felt or the like, the lining being indicated by the numeral 6.

swimming device, the shoe portion thereof Strap 7 c are ro'vided for securing the shoe portion of the swimming device tothe foot of the user. Extending npwardiy from the shoe portion and pivotally connected therewith at opposite sides of the shoe portion, are 'upwardly 'eatended curved arms 8 terminating in substantiahy straight portions- 9 thatrpass under the "strap 9 of the body portion of the device,- the 311113 being also rivet'ed to the body portion (as at 10", wherebythe shoep'ortion of thedevice. is secured to the or body portion of ,theqsivimming attachment. I

The body portion of the device is formed preferably of a length of thin sheet rnetaland indicated; 7 by the numeral 910.; Flanges 11 are formed along opposite edges of the body portion, the flanges being provided with openings to receive the pintles-12' of the blades that are pivotally supported by the body portion. The blades are indicated by the numeral 13 and are provided with flanges 14 disposed along the side edges thereof, the flanges being inclined so that they are substantiallywide at the free ends of the blades to hold'the free ends of the blades in proper spaced relation with the body portion so that when the body portion is moved rearwardly through the water by i a person in the act of swimming, water will enter between the blades and body portion, at the free ends of the blades so that the water pressure will cause the blades to swing outwardly to a position as shown by Figure 5.

Pivotally connected with the body portionare the brace bars 15 that have pivotal connection with the brace bars 16 that connect with the blades of the swimming device, the brace bars 15 and 16 being provided with stops 17 to limit the movement of the brace bars so that they will move freely to permit the blades 13 to open and close.

The swimming attachment is held to the leg of the user by means of the curvedmembers 18 that have their inner surfaces padded by means of the padding material 19. Links 20 are connected with the curved members and provide means whereby the securing straps 21 may-be secured to the members 18, it being understood that these members 18 are arranged adjacent to the upper and lower ends of the bodyportion of the attachment so that the attachment or swimming'device will be securely held to the leg of the wearer.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the blades willofconrse close :to' lessen the resistance on, theforward movement of the.

. greater surface to contact with the water which will result in the person being forced through the water at-a and with less, exertion.

As the. leg is bent andbrought forward,

greater rate of speed leg.

lclaimz" V 1 i V c 1. In a swimming device, an elongated body portionzhaving' flanges formed along the edges thereof, blades having pintles, said flanges having openings to receive the pintles to pivotally support the blades, a shoe sec- -'tion, means for piyotally connecting theshoe section to the body portion, :means for securing the shoe section to the foot of 'theuser,

and straps for securing the body portion to the leg of-thejuser: i

2. In a'swimming device, a body' portion,

portion, said blades having flanges formed beinginclined and contacting with the body portionto hold the free ends of the blades alonggthe side edges thereof, said flanges in spaced relation with the bo'dyportion to permit water to pass thereunder, a shoe section connected, with the body portion, and straps 'for securing the body portion to the leg of the user. i i I 3. In a swimming device, a body portion, blades pivotally connected with thebody portion, a shoesection, arms extending upwardlyand inwardly from the shoe section andhaving pivotal connection withthe shoe section, a strap on the body portion and under. which the arms pass to secure the arms to the body portion, the free ends of the arms being riveted to the body portion, and,

means for securing the body portion to the leg of the user. i

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my-own, I have hereto affixed mysignature.

WILLIAM MAXWELL 

